Major land donation by the city for affordable housing in Kitchener

The City of Kitchener has announced a major land donation to Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region. It will see dozens of new affordable housing units built in a prime location in the Stanley Park neighbourhood.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Kitchener South Hespeler MP Valerie Bradford and Habitat for Humanity CEO Philip Mills were on site for the $5.5 million announcement.

“This is an initial pilot project that we’re working on with Habitat and with Build Now, as part of the overall mix of housing initiatives we’re undertaking” Vrbanovic said.

BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the city and Habitat for Humanity. The community-led initiative has set an ambitious goal of delivering 10,000 affordable and attainable homes by 2030.

This new project will see around 60 affordable units built across from the fire station near Ottawa Street and River Road. It will feature several three and four-bedroom units along with the usual mix of two and one-bedroom, as well as, studio units.

As part of the land donation, the city will waive certain development fees and charges.

The site has been up for redevelopment several times. At one point it was earmarked as a new Kitchener Public Library branch. That ended up at Grand River Collegiate, down the road. Then it was to become a community centre. That was ultimately attached to St. Daniel Catholic Elementary at Ottawa St. and Franklin St.

“I think we’ve finally found the absolute perfect purpose for this property, providing affordable housing for families here in Kitchener,” MP Bradford said.

Habitat for Humanity is expecting to begin construction in early 2025 or sooner.

Kitchener City Council will vote on the final approval for the land donation at its meeting on Monday.